Poachers Carry Out Over 200 Alligator Hatchlings

Poachers Carry Out Over 200 Alligator Hatchlings

Posted on: 09/17/11

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State wildlife officer David Straub was at Florida Lake Apopka Wednesday night when he noticed an airboat at about 10 pm - it was shining a light on the far shore. Straub stayed and kept an eye on the airboat for 6 hours. When the airboat returned, one of the men from the boat carried a sack up to a parked pick up truck.

Straub went over and identified himself, and said he was doing a routine inspection. The man, identified as Robert "Bo" Duval, said "You have got me and I have a lot of alligator hatchlings." Straub found, in two cloth bags, 260 recent alligator hatchlings. Straub seized the truck, trailer, and the boat, and took pictures of the alligators. Duval was with Christopher Scroggins, both are from Bushnell, Florida. The alligators were released alive back into the lake. Duval and Scroggins were taken to jail.

Illegal possession of hatchlings is a third-degree felony that carries a possible $5,000 fine and five years in prison. Duval and Scroggins posted bail. Duval faces more charges, of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, as there were firearms hidden under vegetation on the airboat. An unidentified woman who helped the duo at the boat ramp may face charges as well. From The Orlando Sentinel[2].

When hunting whitetails there are many different languages being spoken afield that I key on when outdoors. All these little creatures living around whitetails have something to tell us if we are willing to listen.
My favorite tattletales of the outdoors are a handful of little birds that live in my state of Ohio. Maybe yours too. A tip for the upcoming season.
There are Blue Jays, Cardinals, Chickadees, Killdeer, and Sparrows that all have language...